Inflatable mattress system

ABSTRACT

An inflatable mattress system which simulates a mattress and box spring based bed. A rectangular protective tray is provided, in which a rectangular inflatable mattress is placed and inflated. The tray has a bottom, and sidewalls, and is open at the top of the sidewalls. Access ports are provided in the tray to access an inflation tube in the mattress. The mattress is covered by a top sheet, and the edge of the top sheet attaches to the top edge of the tray, by zipper or other attachment means. The mattress is enclosed on one side by the top sheet, and on the other by the tray.

PRIORITY/CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/728,937, filed Nov. 21, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concepts generally relates to a system for creating a bed, and more particularly to inflatable mattresses.

BACKGROUND

Inflatable mattresses serve a wide array of uses and purposes. Inflatable mattresses are generally easily stored, lightweight and reasonably comfortable. Unfortunately, these features often make the inflatable mattress easily damaged and sometimes difficult to utilize.

Inflatable mattresses, by their nature, can be stored in small spaces by being deflated and rolled or folded into a smaller volume. Once the inflatable mattress is needed, it can be inflated with air in order to provide a semi-rigid bed like support to a user lying on the surface. Once this use is no longer necessary, the user can deflate the mattress, roll or fold the mattress and then store it in a smaller volume such as a closet.

The use of air mattress is not very esthetically appealing to a guest or owner that will see the inflatable mattress. This is partially due to the fact that most people are used to seeing a standard bed that consists of a spring mattress, a box spring and a frame, or a similar bed style. This esthetics quality makes people reluctant to purchase air mattress for spare beds when guests are present.

The compact size and portability of an air mattress makes it convenient for use in turning an office or spare room into a spare bedroom when company is present. This allows the room to be used for one purpose, which is an office, and then converted into a spare bedroom when necessary. This dual functionality improves the utilization of the room at issue and allows the home owner to utilize a larger percentage of the square footage of the home.

Inflatable mattresses are typically prone to damage. This damage can amount to holes or cuts in the inflatable mattress, rendering it impossible to inflate the mattress and to maintain pressure in the mattress for use. This damage can be caused by items lying on the floor, objects being placed by the side of the mattress, or other similar causes. Once the inflatable mattress is punctured or cut it is necessary for the user to repair or replace the mattress. A further issue with inflatable mattresses is the propensity of the cover sheet to slide off the mattress. Once the sheet becomes dislodged from the inflatable mattress, the mattress is generally topped with a vinyl or rubbery surface that can be uncomfortable for a user to sleep on. This can be due to unbreathability of the material causing a user to stick to the surface or cause excessive sweating, among other issues.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosed inventive concepts are an inflatable mattress system. The systems is made up of an inflatable mattress which fits inside of a prefabricated tray and a top sheet that is placed over the inflatable mattress and attaches to the top of the tray. The inflatable mattress is generally cuboid in shape having sides, a bottom and a top. While multiple sidewall shapes can be made rectangular is preferable. The air mattress has an inflation valve which allows the user to inflate the mattress with or deflate the mattress of air. This allows the user to store the mattress in a deflated state and to customize the firmness of the air mattress.

The mattress is placed within a tray. The tray has a bottom side and sidewalls and a top. The tray is configured to accept the inflatable mattress and is generally the same shape as the mattress. The tray can have cutouts to allow a user to access the inflation valve on the mattress, while the mattress is inflated and placed within the tray. The tray further has an attachment mechanism located on or near the top edge of the sidewalls. This can be a zipper or buckles, snaps, hook-and-loop structures or other capable attachment mechanisms.

Once the inflatable mattress is placed within the tray and inflated, a top sheet is placed over the mattress. The top sheet can fit snuggly over the mattress. Along the border of the top sheet is an attachment mechanism configured to interact with the attachment mechanism on the tray so that if the tray has a zipper the top sheet will have a zipper. If the tray has a male buckle the top sheet with have a female buckle, and so on.

In one embodiment, and best mode presently known, a felt top or mattress topper can be added. The felt top can be used on its own or can be used in conjunction with the mattress topper in order to avoid the mattress topper from sliding. However, the mattress topper can be used without the felt top as well.

For improved aesthetic qualities a skirt can be added. The skirt can be permanently attached to the top sheet or tray or releasably attached to the top sheet or tray. This skirt functions to conceal the tray from onlookers and give the appearance of a normal bed consisting of spring mattress, a box spring and a frame. The skirt can be permanently affixed to the top sheet, preferably at the location of the attachment mechanism, such that the border of the top sheet and the skirt functions as the location of the attachment mechanism. In this configuration, the attachment mechanism is concealed by the top sheet and skirt. Further, the placement of the attachment mechanism is disguised under the seam location of the skirt and the top sheet. The attachment mechanism can span completely around the tray or the top sheet or can be permanently affixed at one or more ends in order to allow the mattress to still slide out of the tray while minimizing the number of separate parts a user has to keep track of.

The purpose of the Abstract is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the inventive concept(s) of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the inventive concept(s) in any way.

Still other features and advantages of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the inventive concept(s), simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out the inventive concept(s). As will be realized, the inventive concept(s) is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the inventive concept(s). Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive concepts.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a top sheet, skirt, and zipper in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concepts.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an inflatable mattress in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concepts.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mattress tray in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concepts.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inflatable mattress in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concepts.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of certain embodiments of the inventive concepts concerning a mechanism for connecting the top sheet to the tray.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive concepts.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive concepts.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive concepts.

DEFINITIONS

In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals.

The use of “e.g.,” “etc,” and “or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise noted.

The use of “including” means “including, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

While the presently disclosed inventive concepts are susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined in the claims.

Shown in FIGS. 1 through 9 are depictions of certain preferred embodiments of the inventive concepts. Shown in FIG. 1 is what appears at first to be a standard bed consisting of a spring mattress, box spring, a sheet over the spring mattress and a skirt concealing the box spring and bed frame. FIG. 1, however, actually shows an inflatable mattress system 10. FIG. 1 shows a top sheet 30 and a skirt 40 as well as a border 52 that connects skirt 40 and top sheet 30. Underneath top sheet 30 and skirt 40 is a protective tray, an inflatable mattress, and a mechanism for connecting the top sheet 30 to the tray. This system allows for convenient storage of the bed system as well as an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Top sheet 30 and skirt 40 are further shown in FIG. 2. Border 52 forms a connection between top sheet 30 and skirt 40. Border 52 will have a connection mechanism located such that attachment mechanism 32 is concealed by border 52, top sheet 30 and skirt 40. Attachment mechanism 32 is preferably located on the interior of border 52.

FIG. 3 shows an inflatable air mattress 20. Inflatable air mattress 20 has sidewalls 22 which are sufficiently high to give an observer the impression that the bed is a standard bed. Inflatable bed 20 also has an inflation valve 44 to allow a user to inflate the mattress or deflate the mattress of air. The mattress top side 24 can be bare or can have a second material placed on it to enhance user comfort or ease of use. In a preferred embodiment the placement of felt on mattress top side 24 creates felt top 48 which produces a more pleasant feel or prevents slipping of items placed on felt top 48, such as a mattress topper. FIG. 4 illustrates protective tray 50. Protective tray 50 has a bottom 14 and sides 12 to support and protect an inflatable mattress. Protective tray 50 is preferably made of a non-woven material, such as plastic. Protective tray also has a tray edge 16 that incorporates an attachment device capable of interacting with the attachment mechanism on the top sheet. Sides 12 have one or more cutouts 46 that allow a user to access the inflation valve while an inflatable mattress is positioned within Protective tray. Protective tray is configured to be substantially the same size as inflatable mattress 20. Cutout 46 is configured to allow a user to access inflation valve 44 before, during, and after an inflatable mattress is inflated. This allows the user to inflate or deflate the inflatable mattress 20 while inflatable mattress 20 is still inside protective tray 50.

Once inflatable mattress 20 is placed within protective tray 50, the user inflates mattress 20 using an inflation device, such as an electric air compressor or a hand pump attached to inflation valve 44. The inflation device can be connected to inflation valve 44 through cutout 46. Cutout 46 allows the user to fully inflate mattress 20 while mattress 20 is within protective tray 50. Once mattress 20 is inflated the user can place top sheet 30 on top of inflatable mattress 20. Once positioned the user can attach top sheet 30 to tray edge 16 by activating the attachment mechanism 32 on top sheet 30 and the tray connecting mechanism 18 on the protective tray 50. This allows the top sheet 30 to be affixed to tray edge 16 such that top sheet 30 cannot slide off inflatable mattress 20 while a user is sleeping.

FIG. 5 shows inflatable mattress system 10 prior to placement of top sheet 30 and connection of top sheet 30 to tray 12. In this embodiment mattress 20 has mattress topper 28 placed on top of inflatable mattress 20. The use of mattress topper 28 provides additional comfort to a user. Use of felt top 48 helps prevent slippage of mattress topper 28 until the top sheet is in place, but this is not required. Top sheet 30 once positioned and secured to protective tray 50 can secure mattress topper 28.

FIG. 6 illustrates several optional ways of securing top sheet 30 to protective tray 50. Utilization of a zipper 32 is preferred but other methods, including those shown, are useable. This zipper 32 can be placed to form the entire connection between top sheet 30 and protective tray 50. The zipper 32 can also form the connection between top sheet 30 and protective tray 50 at sections less than the entire rim of protective tray 50. In this configuration the remainder of top sheet 30 is permanently connected to protective tray 50. This can be done in a clam shell configuration to allow a user to sufficiently uncover inflatable mattress 20 in order to facilitate removal of inflatable mattress 20 from protective tray 50. As stated, a zipper is preferred but other methods can be used such as buckles 34, hook-and-loop fasteners 38, or snaps 36, as shown.

FIG. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of the inventive concepts where mattress topper 28 has been placed on top of mattress 20 and beneath top sheet 30 to create a cushioned and textured surface. FIG. 8 shows a smooth mattress top side 24 having been covered by top sheet 30 with top sheet 30 and skirt 40 being attached to protective tray 50. Texturing similar to that of FIG. 7 can also be accomplished without the use of mattress topper 28 by creating mattress top side 24 in a desirable textured or grooved design. While skirt 40 is shown it should be understood that skirt 40 is not necessary to accomplish the inventive concepts.

FIG. 9 shows a preferred embodiment of the inventive concepts where the inflatable mattress 20 is placed on footprint 42. Footprint 42 is generally the same shape as inflatable mattress 20. In order to secure a top sheet to footprint 42 attachment mechanisms similar to that of the tray can be utilized. In FIG. 9 a hook and loop closure is shown, but other methods including buckles, snaps, zippers, and other similar mechanisms can be used.

The claimed technology is also a method of forming a bed with an inflatable mattress using these steps:

-   -   (a) inflating an inflatable mattress;     -   (b) placing the inflatable mattress in a protective tray with a         tray bottom and tray sidewalls;     -   (c) placing a top sheet atop said mattress; and     -   (d) Affixing the top sheet to the sidewalls of the protective         tray.

The method above can include an optional step between steps (b) and (c), which is the step of placing a mattress topper atop the mattress.

The disclosed technology is also a method of making an air bed using these steps:

-   -   (a) inflating an inflatable mattress;     -   (b) placing the inflatable mattress atop a generally rectangular         protective footprint with side edges;     -   (c) placing a top sheet atop the mattress; and     -   (d) Affixing the top sheet to the side edges of the protective         footprint.     -    The method directly above can be modified by adding a step         between steps (b) and (c), the step of placing a mattress topper         atop the mattress.

While certain exemplary embodiments are shown in the Figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An inflatable mattress system, which comprises: an inflatable mattress having a generally cuboid shape, with a top side, a bottom side, and four mattress sidewalls; said inflatable mattress equipped with an inflation valve for filing said mattress with air; a protective tray, with a bottom side, four tray sidewalls, a top edge on the top of said tray sidewalls, and an open top side, said tray sized to accept said mattress within said tray sidewalls, such that said mattress rests on said tray bottom side, within said tray, surrounded by said tray sidewalls, said tray having at least one cutout in at least one tray sidewall, said cutout sized to expose said inflation valve of said mattress, said tray having an attachment means along said top edge for attachment to a top sheet; and a top sheet configured for placement on said mattress top side, said top sheet with a generally rectangular shape with an outer edge, said top sheet with an attachment means situated on and along said outer edge for attachment to said tray top edges; with said attachment means of said top sheet removably affixable to said attachment means of said tray.
 2. The inflatable mattress system of claim 1 in which said tray attachment means is comprised of at least one zipper along said tray sidewall top edges; and said a top sheet attachment means is comprised of at least one zipper for engagement with said at least one zipper of said tray sidewall top edges.
 3. The inflatable mattress system of claim 2 in which said zipper of said tray and said top sheet are on at least two sides of said tray and said top sheet.
 4. The inflatable mattress system of claim 2 in which said zipper of said tray and said top sheet are on at least three sides of said tray and said top sheet.
 5. The inflatable mattress system of claim 1 which further comprises a skirt portion attached to said skirt, with said top sheet having an inner side and an outer side, and with said sheet portion sized to cover said top side of said mattress
 6. The inflatable mattress system of claim 5 in which said skirt is separated from said sheet by a border.
 7. The inflatable mattress system of claim 1 which further comprises a mattress topper configured for placement on said top side of said mattress.
 8. The inflatable mattress system of claim 1 in which said protective tray comprises non-woven material.
 9. An inflatable mattress system, which comprises: an inflatable mattress having a generally cuboid shape, with a top side, a bottom side, and four mattress sidewalls, with at least one of said four mattress sidewalls equipped with an inflation valve for filing said mattress with air; a protective tray, with a bottom side, and a plurality tray sidewalls, a top edge on the top of said tray sidewalls, and an open top side, with said tray sized to accept said mattress within said tray sidewalls, such that said mattress rests on said tray bottom side, within said tray, surrounded by said tray sidewalls, with said tray defining a cutout for providing access to said inflation valve, and said tray having an attachment means for attachment to a top sheet along said top edge; and a top sheet with a generally rectangular shape with an outer edge, said top sheet with a top sheet attachment means situated on and along said outer edge, top sheet attachment means removably affixable to said tray attachment means.
 10. The inflatable mattress system of claim 9 in which said tray attachment means is comprised of at least one zipper along said tray sidewall top edges; and said a top sheet attachment means is comprised of at least one zipper for engagement with said at least one zipper of said tray sidewall top edges.
 11. The inflatable mattress system of claim 9 in which said zipper of said tray and said top sheet are on at least two sides of said tray and said top sheet.
 12. The inflatable mattress system of claim 9 in which said zipper of said tray and said top sheet are on at least three sides of said tray and said top sheet.
 13. An inflatable mattress system, which comprises: an inflatable mattress having a generally cuboid shape, with a top side, an underside, and four mattress sidewalls, at least one of said four mattress sidewalls equipped with an inflation valve for filing said mattress with air; a generally rectangular protective footprint, with a bottom side, a top side, and footprint edge around the perimeter of said footprint, and a plurality attachment points on and along said footprint edge, with said footprint sized to at least cover said mattress bottom side; and a generally rectangular top sheet with an outer edge, said top sheet with a plurality of attachment points situated on and along said outer edge, and said attachment points of said top sheet removably affixable to said attachment points of said footprint.
 14. A method of making an air bed comprising the following steps: (e) inflating an inflatable mattress; (f) placing said inflatable mattress in a protective tray with a tray bottom and tray sidewalls; (g) placing a top sheet atop said mattress; and (h) affixing said top sheet to said sidewalls of said protective tray.
 15. The method of claim 14 that further comprises, between steps (b) and (c), the step of placing a mattress topper atop said mattress.
 16. A method of making an air bed comprising the following steps: (e) inflating an inflatable mattress; (f) placing said inflatable mattress atop a generally rectangular protective footprint with side edges; (g) placing a top sheet atop said mattress; and (h) affixing said top sheet to said side edges of said protective footprint.
 17. The method of claim 16 that further comprises, between steps (b) and (c), the step of placing a mattress topper atop said mattress. 